KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: A Review of Martin Scorsese’s Latest Epic

Cinema Scholars reviews Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese’s latest epic. Apple Original Films will release the film on Friday, October 20, 2023, in theaters around the world, including IMAX theaters.

Introduction

For people who grew up in Oklahoma, Native American culture is as ubiquitous as the tales of Boomers and Sooners claiming property in the Land Run of 1889. Legends of homesteaders living side by side with tribes at the turn of the century fill history books. With stories of outlaws, Will Rogers, and eventual statehood, most Okies are inherently familiar with this side of the lore. However, recent revelations about the state’s hidden history are finally coming to light. Much like the once-forgotten Tulsa Race massacre of 1921, the audacious murders of numerous Osage people around the same time is yet another glaring omission from many Oklahoma history books. 

Nevertheless, thanks to time and a new wave of reckoning for historically subjugated groups, a uniquely tragic story of greed and betrayal emerges in Martin Scorsese’s latest masterpiece, Killers of the Flower Moon. Based on David Grann’s bestselling book and careful dissection of the epic true crime tale, Scorsese brings the tome to life with an immersive trip to a transformative bygone era. 

Synopsis

Killers of the Flower Moon tells the story of the Osage people. Forcibly removed from their lands in Kansas, Missouri, and beyond, they resettled with other tribes in Indian Territory. However, in an ironic twist of fate, oil discovered on tribal land made the Osage the most wealthy people in the world per capita. They enjoyed a lavish lifestyle afforded to few in the roaring 20s. But the Osage people clung to the traditions of their ancestors as well. As stories of major windfalls usually go, however, opportunists and crooks inevitably emerge to get their piece of the pie.

Like the book, the adaptation penned by Scorsese and Eric Roth centers on the true story of oil millionaire Mollie Burkhart and her family of proud Osage women. As her beloved family and tribal members die one by one under questionable circumstances, Burkhart helps lead the charge to find out what is happening to her people and the rights to their valuable estates.

Discussion

Scorsese‘s careful embrace of Oklahoma and the Osage tribe is apparent from the very first frame of the film. The way the director captures the essence of the great plains and its natural wonder echoes the importance of heritage and the plight of the Osage people. Sweeping images of tribal land captured by cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto contrast with the hustle and bustle of oil boomtown Fairfax, OK. This further illustrates the confluence of ancient traditions with the modern world. 

Once an unscathed expanse of grasslands, the rolling plains of northeastern Indian Territory are now pocked with an endless array of oil derricks pumping black gold from the earth. Osage blankets and traditional jewelry are now paired with diamond and pearl baubles. While many natives continue to wear their hair long, or in braids, many others have adopted the fashionable shorter hairstyles of their contemporary counterparts. Intriguing details of this inevitable transition for the Osage people are not lost on Scorsese. This attention serves to further punctuate the tribe’s evolution as well as the lesser-known indignity they suffered.

Performances

Lily Gladstone is a low-key revelation in the role of besieged matriarch Mollie Burkhart. Early in the film, Gladstone evokes her character’s aloof shrewdness with a mere grin and shift of her eyes. Later when those eyes are filled with tears of torment, Gladstone avoids any hyperbole with a perfectly metered yet gut-wrenching performance. 

Leonardo DiCaprio wows as the not-so-unwitting Ernest Burkhart. Burkhart is anything but sympathetic. Yet DiCaprio casts a believable air of foolhardiness that helps explain why his character could be so easily manipulated. While DiCaprio’s delivery of Burkhart’s misguided swagger plays as intimidating in most scenes. However, in other sequences, the same bravado comes off as almost comical. In a cast of ill-fated characters, DiCaprio’s amazing range of emotions, including terrible realization, ultimately makes Burkhart the most tragic player of the story. 

As William Hale, a powerful local leader and uncle to Ernest, Robert DeNiro exudes the kind of calm menace that makes you do a double take. The self-proclaimed “King of the Osage” has a creepy benevolence that DeNiro fully understands. He maintains an even keel for the scheming character even as the complexity of Hales’s situation mounts. Sometimes the most sinister performances are delivered with a warm smile. And DeNiro’s wolf-in-sheep-clothing take on Hale is a powerful example.

Supporting Roles

In a somewhat surprising move, the director employs a parade of notable faces from both the music and indie film world. Jack White, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, and Pete Yorn appear along with indie film faves Pat Healey, Michael Abbott Jr, and Larry Fessenden. Though some of the musician cameos are a bit distracting, they do add a vibe of authenticity that overrides the stunt casting. The latter three (among many other fascinating character actors), understand the assignment perfectly, acing their respective roles under the legendary director. 

Though his turn is woefully brief, Jesse Plemons is a perfect fit for Tom White, the FBI agent leading the investigation into the murders. His reassuring tone and subtle delivery are a perfect match for DeNiro’s controlled calm. In an even smaller role, Brendan Fraser steals the final act with aplomb as a boisterous and persuasive attorney. Blink and you might miss John Lithgow as his able prosecuting adversary.

Further Analysis

Though the story is ultimately a true crime saga, the film reads more like a period epic than a procedural drama. Stunning production design by Jack Fisk envelopes every frame of Killers of the Flower Moon in a blanket of early 20th-century nostalgia. The attention to detail in each location saturates the film with authenticity. This transports the viewer to a more rough-hewn time completely void of any modern conceits. By the time law enforcement enters the picture, a transformative tale of heritage and horror has already been well-established, The outcome, though sadly satisfying, feels almost like a postscript after such a beautifully harrowing story.

Killers of the Flower Moon covers a majority of the ground plowed in Grann’s book. However, there are a few details that might have been hashed out more thoroughly. For example, the film doesn’t quite explain the tenuous relationships many of the Osage had with the guardians who controlled their estates. With a headright system practically set up for fraudulent activity, natives had no real agency over their inherited riches. While the film does nod to this indignity on a few occasions, the egregious financial arrangement the Osage faced may be lost on the uninitiated viewer. 

Another missed opportunity is a bit more explanation regarding FBI agent and fellow native John Wren. He briefly introduces himself to tribal leaders when he first appears. But the significance of a Native American detective on the case at that time in history seems worthy of a bit more exposition. Plus, it’s just such a cool character.

Conclusion

Killers of the Flower Moon is utterly captivating from beginning to end and totally worthy of every last minute of the 3-hour 26-minute running time. Scorsese has harnessed the cultural and historical significance of a heinous true crime scandal. But he has also unlocked a door to the past with a complete immersion into that fascinating era when the old West collided with modern times. While Killers of the Flower Moon is obviously a gorgeous filmmaking achievement and love letter to the Osage, it is foremost a bittersweet redemption song for the tribe.

Apple Original Films will release the film on Friday, October 20, 2023, in theaters around the world, including IMAX theaters.

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